Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico have doubled according to Becker’s Clinical Leadership surpassing 200. 30 cases have been confirmed in New Mexico, mostly in Lea County which is close to the Texas border. As of late January, Texas has reported 198 cases.
There may also be a second death from measles of a non-vaccinated person which is currently under investigation.
As of late in February, one child who was not vaccinated died in Lubbock, Texas and 23 people have been hospitalized because of measles.
Another unvaccinated person’s death is currently under investigation in New Mexico, though no cause has been officially determined the person had tested positive for measles. The individual lived in Lea County.
The director of Lubbock Public Health Katherine Wells, believes this rate is not increased, just the number of tests have. Testing for measles is also now being done in Lubbock which allows for almost immediate response rates, as opposed to previously when tests had to be sent to Austin, Texas.
A majority of the people confirmed to have measles were unvaccinated children, or children whose statuses were unknown.
285 measles cases were reported in 2024 even though it had been declared in 2000 that measles was eliminated. Elimination in this case means not consistently present, however outbreaks are expected in unvaccinated populations and as a result of traveling internationally.
Source: Becker’s Clinical Leadership
